Wii U GamePad

Nintendo promised back in 2012 Wii U games making use of two GamePads would be released “sometime next year.” Next year being 2013. It’s 2014 now, and according to Shigeru Miyamoto dual-GamePad functionality isn’t part of Nintendo’s “objectives in the short-term.”

Nintendo of America has begun selling high-capacity battery packs for the Wii U Game Pad, an add-on heretofore available elsewhere but mysteriously absent from North America. The $32 peripheral boasts up to eight hours of use, up from the regular battery’s maximum of five hours. Grab it from the Nintendo Store. Thanks, Destructoid.

Wii U’s GamePad is a ‘nine-axis’ device, thanks to its internal geomagnetic sensor which allows it a greater degree of control over PS3’s Sixaxis controller, and PlayStation Move. Becky Oh, an executive at the firm that makes the sensor for Nintendo has shed light on why the component makes a real difference in control.

Wii U GamePads won’t be sold separately in the US due to Nintendo not wanting any consumer confusion to ensue, however, should you break your lovely new second screen controller, you can order a new one. Just be aware it will cost you, and Nintendo isn’t saying how much – yet.

Shigeru Miyamoto has said the possibilities for Metroid using Wii U’s GamePad “could be really fantastic.” Speaking with IGN, Miyamoto said, hypothetically, with Metroid, it was easy to imagine interesting implementations for Wii U. “I think that having another screen with the gyro built in really gives you a lot of interesting opportunities for development,” […]

Wii U hardware to support two separate GamePads. The event will only focus on single-player, and more on dual play will be announced at a later date. A video of the Wii U GamePad was shown, showing stylus, with sticks, rumble, built-in camera and mic, and bumpers. Has a home button to suspend gameplay for […]